I have a 1997 ram 1500 4x4, the transmission blew out and I bought a donor truck, only problem is, the donor truck is a 4x2, both are 46RE with overdrive, now im doing an engine swap aswell with the transmission. So I'm taking the engine and tranny out of my donor truck and putting them in my truck. What do i have to do to put a transfer case on the 4x2 transmission? I've read that i can just bolt it up to the overdrive system but I'm not sure, as this is my first time doing anything this intense. Please help!!!

 

You *might* be able to just swap the O/D unit from the dead trans, to the good one, and be down the road. At least, for a little while..... If the original trans blew up, it then circulated all that crap throughout the trans, including the O/D section, which will, in turn, start circulating thru your new trans, and kill it in fairly short order.

The other possibility is, it won't work at all...... and you will still need a trans. I haven't looked at a 2wd trans, to see if the o/d section is a bolt on piece, or part of the whole casting. Something to look at anyway.

Welcome to DF!

 

I do know the O/D unit is a bolt on peice, im thinking its just the bands for 1-2 gear, because it will move, just slowly. with zero tourque, it will roll if its on a flat surface, and reverse still works perfectly fine, so im not sure if it really affected the O/D because when i reach speeds of 40-45 it is ok, just wont grab in 1-2 gear.

 

Probably can get away with it then. What year was the donor truck?

 

It is a 2001, with a 5.9 360 in it, but that doesnt matter because im taking the PCM and all out with the engine and swaping the enging and tranny at the same time, but both trannys are 46RE

 

Hasn't this been discussed before and the conclusion was it take a lot more work to make the 2wd a 4wd trans???


I could be getting confused with the manual which requires changing the mainshaft and some other stuff

 

Just tossing it out there, but you might have to swap a tad bit more than normal. If I am not mistaken isnt the 01 tranny a little bit different than the 97? And wise choice on swapping the motors too, may as well do the plenum while your doing the swap because I can almost guarantee that it will need it.

 

Electronics changed significantly from 97 to 01, and not just inside the trans. The engine you could drop right in, hook up, and drive away. Trans would need electronics changed out. But, you can't just put the 01 PCM into the 97. You would need to also swap the harness, and dash..... and prolly some other stuff as well. Just too many differences.

Might be better off selling the 2wd trans, and finding a 4wd trans to put in there.

 

Im changing everything in the engine compartment, harness, PCM, all that. Why would i have to change the dash? It's in the engine bay...not the dash...but would it be a better choice if this tranny doesnt work, to put a standard trans in it? and if i were to do that how would i do that.

 

Here is a few pictures too